Tromso - the last post

We are now in Tromso, 400 km north of the Arctic Circle, latitude 69 degrees north. Tromso is the last post (of any significant size) in Norway.  It has a university with a buzzing student population.  It is a tourist centre in summer   (midnight sun) and winter (Northern lights, plus lots of X-country skiing).  It is set with a back drop of snow-capped peaks. We have been cooking our evening meals - with salmon on special at $11 a kilo (!!)  guess what's been on the menu every night?

Prior to driving here yesterday we had 2 days on Senja Island, on the way here from the Lofoten islands. We explored the island by car, but due to a small car accident, did not get time to hike.

 Our driver did not see a concrete barrier at the entrance to the lookout car park. It had quite a drop on the other side and we flattened one tyre and caused a bulge in another.  With not even one spare tyre we called Avis for help. Over 2 hours later we got towed, and the tyres were replaced next morning.  Dinner ended up being at 11 pm  :-(

 Waiting for the ferry off Senja towards Tromso - perfect weather all day

 aboard the ferry

 arrival in Tromso

 Today we did a 200 km trip east of Tromso, driving past 1600m high mountains.

It was a bit cloudy so the peaks were hidden.

 poppies flowering near our lunch spot

 the others agree to a short hike alongside the fast flowing glacial stream

 a garden back in the village where the walk started

 views from the car heading back to Tromso

 Tromso

 Tromso Botanic Alpine Gardens - it's quite amazing what they can 

get to grow this far north.  They have plants from all continents.

This is my last post for the blog.  Tomorrow the Sheards fly to Bergen, and we fly to London.  We then have 21 hours there (the plan is to visit Greenwich) before the horrible flight home - about 22 hours including a 2 hour transit in Dubai.  We arrive 530 am in Melbourne on Monday.  Any volunteers to pick us up?